Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-01-08
SCHOOL LAND. FRAUDS.

| over $3OO,OO saved TO the State o
| Kansas.
| TOPEKA KAN, December 2S.-Attorne,
General Bradford has been very active il
the matter of putting stop to the wholesal,
stealing of school lands, which has bseI
going on ia Kansas for some time past.
Touching this matter Mr.. Bradford, in hi
forthcoming report to Governor John 4
Martin, will say:
Soon after came into Office, in January
1885, was informed by various parties liv
ing in the western counties of the state, thai
fraud was being perpertated in the sale Of
school lands. l gave the matter my i'm
that 81, 600 acres of land bad been advertised
for sale upon petitions presented regularly
| dpOn their face, fraudulent in fact.
| In this way every acre of school land re-
naming unsold in Ellis county was adver-
tised to be sold, after being appraised al
| So per acre, at the same time being worth
from 81 to Sc per acre.
The syndicate formed for the purchase OF
these lands would have purchased for So all
of these lands. the sale was enjoined. The
| injunction was made perpetual, and the
land subsequently all sold to actual settlers
at profit to the state of $92 ZOO.
Like frauds have been perpetrdted IN Pratt
| county, Kansas, long prior to my coming
into Office. commenced proceeding in
| the district courtof Pratt county to set aside
the contracts made for the sale of 4, $40 acres.
Upon investigation find that in Finney
county 125,0O0 acres had been advertised
pursuant to petitions presented in a like
manner to the petitions in Ellis county,
which sale I also caused to be abandoned.
have directed suits to be brought in var
ious other of the western counties of the
state, and have recovered large tracts of land
from the clutches of the syndicates and
spectators, which have since been sIld to
actual settlers.
It is safe to say that I have saved to the
state by reason of the several actions
brought and finally determined, about
$500 coo, at an expense to the state not to
exceed 81, 600 to $1,000.
To successfully prosecute these cases ex-
pense has been, and necessarily will have to
be incurred, for which some appropriation
ought to be made, the amount of which
have not ascertaiued, owing to the fact that
the cases are still undetermined. Should
the cases be successful an additional $780,
COO will be saved to the permanent school
fund. and, in my judgement. the state can
we'll afford to appropriate 81 800 or $500,
or so much thereof as may be necessary to
defray the expense.
After the experience have and the inves-
tigation have made, think: am safe in
saying he permanent school fund of Kansas
has lost at least 81 900 ,OCO for want of prop
or attention to the sale of school lands.
Under the law prior to the amendment of
1886, frauds could be perpetrated and the
perpetrators thereof be beyond possibly
finding out. As the law now is school lands
in unrecognized counties of the state can
not be sold until three years after the coun-
ty becomes organized. Settlers upon school
lands must reside thereon and have at least
500 in lasting improvements upon the land
before he is allowed to purchase, and in ad-
dition thereto he must satisfy the probate
court that he has not heretofore purchased
school land, and that it is wanted by him in
good faith as home for himself and family.